KINGDOM DIVIDED
Segun Iwasanmi@iwasanmisegun212159
23 days ago
Written by: Segun Iwasanmi
Prologue: The Splintered Crown
The palace of Erelu stood proud under the fading rays of the evening sun, its walls alive with the whispers of history. Intricate carvings of Yoruba legends adorned its red clay facade, but inside the king’s chamber, all was still, save for the soft shuffle of feet and the faint crackle of a dying fire.
King Adewale, a ruler known for his devotion to both God and his people, lay on his carved bed, his breaths shallow yet steady. His room was sparse, unadorned by the idols of his ancestors. Instead, a simple wooden cross hung above the bed, a silent testament to the faith that had guided his reign. The well-worn Bible by his side bore the marks of a lifetime of study—pages dog-eared, passages underlined, and its cover faded by time.
“Bring Prince Olatunde to me,” he commanded weakly, his voice like the whisper of dry leaves in harmattan.
The courtiers exchanged uneasy glances, for the king’s strength had waned over the weeks. Nevertheless, they obeyed. Moments later, Prince Olatunde entered the room, his tall frame casting a long shadow on the floor. His royal agbada swayed as he knelt by his father’s bedside, his expression caught between sorrow and anticipation.
King Adewale reached for the golden crown that rested on a stool beside him. Its surface gleamed faintly in the dim light, adorned with three intricate emblems—a sun, a moon, and a star—each representing divine wisdom, protection, and guidance. He held it with trembling hands, the weight of both the crown and the moment heavy in the air.
“Olatunde,” the king began, his voice firmer now, as if the words themselves gave him strength. “This crown is more than metal and gold. It is a covenant with the Almighty. It represents the authority He gives and the burden He demands.”
Olatunde bowed his head, humbled by the solemnity of the moment. “I will honor this covenant, Baba,” he vowed, though a flicker of uncertainty betrayed him.
King Adewale placed the crown on Olatunde’s head, his hands lingering for a moment. Then, with a sudden urgency, he grasped his son’s hand and whispered, “Remember the words of the Lord: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’” (Matthew 6:21).
But as the king spoke of treasure and heart, another man in the room felt his heart grow darker. Chief Gbadamosi, the king’s most trusted advisor, stood in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the crown. For years, he had counseled King Adewale with wisdom—or so it seemed. Yet in his heart, envy and greed had taken root. He had heard whispers that the crown held more than power; it held a divine secret, one he longed to possess.
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That night, as the palace slumbered, the moonlit halls bore silent witness to Gbadamosi’s betrayal. He crept into the royal chamber, his steps muffled by the woven mats on the floor. The crown sat on its pedestal, bathed in silver light. Gbadamosi hesitated, his hand trembling as he reached for it. His greed won over his fear. With one swift motion, he plucked the star emblem from the crown, pocketing it with a grin of triumph.
The moment the emblem left the crown, the room seemed to inhale sharply. A chilling wind swept through, extinguishing the lamps. Outside, the heavens groaned, and the villagers of Erelu woke to an unnatural darkness that smothered even the rising sun.
By dawn, the once-vibrant kingdom was shrouded in gloom. Farmers murmured prayers as their crops wilted in the absence of light. Market women clutched their children close, whispering about curses and omens. And in the palace, Prince Olatunde stood on the balcony, the weight of his father’s crown pressing heavier on his soul than ever before.
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To be continued in Chapter one....
MORAL REFLECTION
Authority and blessings are gifts from God, meant to be stewarded with humility and reverence. But greed, like a thief in the night, robs not just individuals but entire generations of peace. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6:19).
The betrayal of one man had splintered not just a crown but the harmony of a kingdom. A storm was brewing, and Erelu would never be the same again.
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